Honda VFR800FI Reviews

1998 Honda VFR800FI from United States of America

Summary:

Fifth Gen VFR is the right bike for me

Faults:

Regulator rectifier connector melted at 67,000 miles.

Stator replaced at 68,139 miles.

Regulator rectifier replaced at 108,168 miles.

General Comments:

Awesome all round moto. Used it for commuting to and from work daily, plus assorted weekend rides in Northern California. The bike was running strong when I sold it; never burned oil between changes (5000 mile oil change interval). Excellent power band and good ergos for all day comfort, even with a stock seat. Put several 13 hour days on it/500 miles plus. Routinely achieved 48-50 MPG, 250 mile range is common.

Engine is easy to maintain for a mechanically inclined person with a service manual. Linked brakes work well. I did replace the rear brake disc shortly before I sold it, due to wear beyond service tolerance.

Sold the bike to purchase a low-mile 2000 model year bike. By now these bikes are pushing 16 years old, and can be had for well under $3000 US. I consider them to be an excellent value, bang for the buck.

General Comments:

I have owned this motorbike for eight and a half years. In that time I have used it for commuting, weekend rides, touring, track days and taking part in a number of slow riding skills days (probably a contributory factor to the clutch problem).

The bike has a good, strong, predictable power delivery, which is ideal for road use, and only at fast tracks (E.G.. Snetterton) is left wanting along the straights.

On road handling is generally excellent, rarely feeling disturbed by the poor road conditions encountered around this part of the UK. It is very sensitive to a squared off rear tyre, which can result in a tendency to wander and give a bit of a wiggle when crossing (raised) white lines at an narrow angle, for example. On track days it's perfectly capable of maintaining pace towards the front of the intermediate group.

The addition of a Scottoiler, heated grips and a double bubble screen has made this into a first class mile-munching tourer, with a usable tank range of around 180 miles between fill-ups when cruising at 80mph, leaving plenty in reserve to hunt a fuel-station. On longer days, 500+ miles, the saddle starts feeling a little uncomfortable after a couple of hours, which coincides nicely with a refuel stop - maybe it could do with being sculpted better for my shape.

I'm told that pillion accommodation is adequate. The addition of a pillion does not appear to unduly upset the bike's performance or handling. However, the headlights tend to dazzle oncoming travel when a pillion is on board - easier access to the rear preload might help alleviate this.